Improvement in devices for punching the heads of cartridge-shells



A.. C. HOBBS.

DEVICES FOR PUNCHING TI-IE HEADS 0F CARTRIDGE SHELLS.

No. 177,067. n .Patented May 9,1876.

QA/WH" ACH/Mw www wwf/fm2 j??? N.PEYERS, FHOTO-LITHOGRAPNER. WASHINGTON. D U,

UNITED saxons #ATENT OFFICE'.

ALFRED C. HOBBS, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN DEVICES-FOR PUNCHING THE HEADS 0F CARTRIDGE-SHELLS.

vSpecification forming part of Letters Patent No. 177,067, dated May 9, 1876; application filed March 9, 187e.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED GHARLE HOBBs, of the city of Bridgeport, county of Fairfield and State of- Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Device adapted to Machines for Punching Metals and other substances; and I do hereby declare that the followingl is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, making part of this specication- Figure 1 being a central vertical section of a punching-machine representing the various parts in position.

My device consists in ayielding and selfadjusting protector-,to direct and support the punch in its operation, substantially in the manner herein described.

A in the annexed drawing represents the lower end of a plunger of apress, of any desired construction, and having the usual perpendicular or up-and-down motion of such device. B is a cylindrical punchholder, wl1ich is secured tothe lower end of the plunger A- by means of a set-screw, C. This cylindrical punch-holder B is fitted in its interior with a rod, D, for holding the punch E or punches, as the case may be, in position, and is itself' retained in place by means of the screw F in the upper part of the holder B. The lower end of this holder is left solid, with the exception of the opening to receive and admit the punch.

One practical method of lsecuring the punch E in the solid end of the holder is to countersink the inner end of the opening through which it passes, and form a head, r, upon one end to correspond therewith, so that when the punch is inserted an even surface will be presented to the lower end Vof the rod D, and by means of the screw F at the upper end of the holder the punch will be forced down into its seat and firmly held there, as represented.

The movable and self-adjusting protector aud guide for the punch is fitted-to and receives the lower end of the cylindrical holder B, upon which it slides or moves up and down, and, to prevent its dropping o", rests in its lowermost position upon the shoulders ct c, as shown in the annexed drawing. A bushing, Gr, constitutes the lower end of the punch protector and guide, the same supporting and guidingthe punch close tothe surface of the metal or substance being punched. To retain this protector in position upon the lower end of the cylindrical holder B', and that it may be readily removed to repair or change the punch, a collar, H, .is tted thereto, which rests upon the shoulders a a of the holder, thus permitting the protector to move or slide up and down thereon when in operation, and adjust itself to the surface of the material being punched. A set-screw, I, retains this collar in position upon the protector, and prevents it turning off, and a coiled spring, J, placed between the lower surface of the plunger A of the press and the upper surface of the collar H always presents the steel bushing G to the surface of the metal to be punched first, and, resting thereon, permits the punch to advance Vthrough it to punch the hole.

To illustrate my invention, I have adapted it to punching the fulminate-holes in a Berdan shell for a cartridge, using a cluster of three punches therefor, the lower end o of the steel bushing being countersunk to receive and fit the conical anvil s of the shell, so that this adjustable and yielding bushing may rest upon and surround the anvil during the punching, andis removed therefrom by the upward movement of the plunger A of the press ,after the withdrawal of the punches fromthe metal.

The operation of this device in punching is as follows: vThe shell being presented and properly supported upon a mandrel, the punching device descends, and the steel bushing G first coming in contact with the shell rests thereon, and permits the cylindrical holder B, by means of the coiled spring J, to continue its downward movement, forcing the punches E secured thereto through or into the metal to form the hole.

This device is particularly adapted to punching holes when the surface of the metal is presented at an angle to the face of the punches, as represented in the annexed drawing, in which position it would be difficult in manufacturing large quantities to punch the holes inthe usual manner without supporting the punches.

It will be observed that the punches E are drawn into the steel bushing Gr when not in operation, and where they remain protected until the bushing comes in contact with, and is stopped by, the surface of the metal to be pnnchechend that by means oi' this bushing always resting upon the surface of the metal while being punched the punches cannot be deflected sidewise, thereby destroying them and injuring the Work.

Having `thus fullydescribed. my invention,

what I claim therein as new, and desiretosecure by Letters Patent, is-` The combination, with a punch-holder, 2 punch or punches, yielding support, and gllidfa-H` bushing, substantially as herein set forth. A. C. HOBBS. Witnesses: Y

HENRY G. RYLANDs,

J. N. STANDISH, Jr. 

